Magnetocaloric Temperature Control System with Enhanced Heat Transfer and Airflow Management

Abstract

The invention is a modular magnetocaloric effect (MCE) temperature control system comprising a housing (100), an MCM stack (200), electromagnetic coils (300), a heat transfer system (400) with heat pipes (400) (e.g., 401, 402) and fins (500), a control system (700), baffles (600), an external fan (800), and an external power supply (900). Optional valves (400a) (e.g., 401a, 402a) enhance operational efficiency, making the system suitable for eco-friendly heating and cooling applications.

1 . A magnetocaloric temperature control system comprising:
 a) a housing ( 100 ) with front and back openings for airflow;   b) a stack of magnetocaloric material (MCM) plates ( 200 ) within the housing ( 100 ) for direct thermal interaction with airflow;   c) electromagnetic coils ( 300 ) adjacent to the stack ( 200 ) to generate a cycling magnetic field;   d) a heat transfer system ( 400 ) thermally coupled to the stack ( 200 ), including heat pipes (e.g.,  401 ,  402 ) extending through external fins ( 500 ) outside the housing ( 100 );   e) a control system ( 700 ) managing the magnetic field and operational modes; and   f) baffles ( 600 ) within the housing ( 100 ) directing airflow through the stack ( 200 ).   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising heat pipe control valves ( 400   a ) (e.g.,  401   a ,  402   a ) corresponding to each heat pipe (e.g.,  401 ,  402 ). 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the valves (e.g.,  401   a,    402   a ) regulate working fluid flow within the heat pipes (e.g.,  401 ,  402 ). 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein in heating mode, the valves (e.g.,  401   a,    402   a ) close to retain heat within the system. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein in cooling mode, the valves (e.g.,  401   a,    402   a ) open to transfer heat to the fins ( 500 ). 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the control system ( 700 ) adjusts the valves ( 400   a ) based on operational mode. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control system ( 700 ) adjusts magnetic field cycling frequency based on application needs. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an external fan ( 800 ) enhancing airflow through the housing ( 100 ). 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an external power supply ( 900 ) powering the coils ( 300 ) and control system ( 700 ). 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the external power supply ( 900 ) is adaptable to multiple voltage inputs for diverse applications. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetocaloric material (MCM) plates ( 200 ) are made from materials selected from the group consisting of lanthanum-iron-silicon (LaFeSi) alloys, gadolinium (Gd), manganese-based alloys, and other magnetocaloric compounds. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the baffles ( 600 ) are positioned on both sides of the stack ( 200 ) to optimize airflow. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat pipes (e.g.,  401 ,  402 ) extend vertically along the stack ( 200 ) for efficient heat transfer. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is modular, allowing additional MCM plates (e.g.,  201 ,  202 ) for scalability. 
     
     
         15 . A method of controlling temperature using a magnetocaloric system, comprising:
 a) providing a stack of MCM plates ( 200 ) within a housing ( 100 );   b) applying a cycling magnetic field via electromagnetic coils ( 300 );   c) directing airflow through the stack ( 200 ) using baffles ( 600 );   d) transferring heat via heat pipes (e.g.,  401 ,  402 ) to external fins ( 500 ); and   e) regulating heat pipe fluid flow with valves (e.g.,  401   a,    402   a ) for operational efficiency.